SAT scores decline in N.J. and nation State's math down 5 points as debate over test renews Wednesday, August 29, 2007 • BY JOHN MOONEY • Star-Ledger Staff The average SAT scores dropped slightly again last year both nationally and in New Jersey, reviving debate over whether it is students, their high schools or the test itself contributing to the trend. After years of mostly steady increases, the 2007 average score nationwide fell for the second year since the three-part test was revamped, this time dropping a total of seven points to 1511 out of a maximum score of 2400, according to the College Board. The average math and writing scores each dropped three points, and reading fell a point. The decline was a little more notable in New Jersey, especially in math, where the average score fell five points to 510. The state's average reading score fell a point to 495, and writing dropped two points to 494. The averages include both public and private schools. In announcing the scores, College Board officials called the national decline "not statistically significant" and instead emphasized the continued rise in the number of students taking the test, just shy of 1.5 million last year. "The SAT Class of 2007 was the largest class ever and the most diverse class," said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board, the nonprofit organization administering the test. Still, another official said the five-point drop in New Jersey's math scores should at least prompt further questions among the state's educators and policymakers. "It is statistically significant, but the key is if it is educationally significant," said Brian O'Reilly, executive director of the SAT Program Relations. "It's not always cut-and-dried that things are just getting worse." For one, O'Reilly pointed out the math drop was identical to that in New York. Maryland saw an even greater decline of seven points, while Pennsylvania saw a single point decline. Only eight states saw any increase at all in their math scores. State officials also pointed to the rising percentage of New Jersey students taking the test, up to 82 percent of all seniors, a 12-point increase since 2002. Just five states have a greater percentage. The state has pressed for improvements in math instruction in the public schools and will launch this year a new state test in Algebra II, a skill now included in the new SAT. "This is all aimed to enhance the rigor of high schools, and as a byproduct should help them do better on the SATs as well," said Jay Doolan, an assistant education commissioner. With average scores normally fluctuating a point or two a year, any larger movement brings fresh debate over the SAT itself, which went through a major remodeling in 2005 that included a new writing section and more advanced concepts in math. Coupled with another seven-point drop overall last year, "this unexplained trend will further chip away at the exam's credibility," said Robert Schaeffer of the FairTest National Center for Fair and Open Testing, a loud critic of all standardized testing. Dozens of competitive colleges have made the SAT an optional piece of the admissions process, including Drew University in 2005, and high school guidance counselors have worried about the effect of the longer test, now spanning three hours and 45 minutes. "The kids are just dying when they come out," said Susan Hatch, president of the state's school counselors association and a just-retired West Milford High School counselor. But Hatch wasn't among those jumping to conclusions after the two-year decline, citing the merits of the standardized test for colleges facing thousands of applicants. "I think you have to give it more time to see how it averages out," she said. John Mooney may be reached at jmooney@starledger.com, or (973) 392-1548. © 2007 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with permission.